At DHS hearing, Thompson calls WV Guard shooting 'unfortunate accident'; Noem rebukes as protesters removed
At a House Homeland Security hearing on Dec. 11, Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson called the West Virginia National Guard shooting an "unfortunate accident" and used his opening to press DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign, prompting Noem to sharply rebuke his characterization by calling the incident a terrorist attack and defending DHS's vetting and border-enforcement efforts. The session — focused on global security threats and immigration — was repeatedly interrupted by anti‑ICE protesters who were escorted out and detained, and featured fierce exchanges over migrant vetting, SIV/admissions programs and potential legal consequences for disputed testimony.
📌 Key Facts
- The House Homeland Security Committee hearing on DHS began at 10 a.m. ET on Dec. 11, with Gov. Kristi Noem testifying on global security threats; she last appeared in Congress in May.
- Multiple anti-ICE protesters interrupted Noem’s opening remarks — one dressed as a priest carrying a crucifix shouted “The power of Christ compels you!” and “End deportations!” — and were escorted out and detained by Capitol Police.
- Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson opened by calling on Noem to resign, alleging she dismantled DHS and violated the law; during the hearing he called the West Virginia National Guard shooting an “unfortunate accident,” prompting Noem to rebuke him and label the incident a “terrorist attack.”
- Lawmakers disputed vetting and admission questions around the attacker Lakanwal: Thompson cited reporting suggesting Trump‑era approval and warned Noem about potential perjury, while Noem said Lakanwal was admitted under Biden‑era programs ('Allies Welcome/Refuge'), criticized failed check‑ins, and said SIV/vetting standards were not followed.
- Context on DHS operations: Congress in July approved roughly $165 billion for DHS — including funds to hire 10,000 deportation officers, complete border wall sections, and expand detention — and DHS reports it has deported over two million people under the current administration amid mounting clashes in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago; DHS says agents do not target U.S. citizens but acknowledges arrests of Americans during operations while Democrats allege erroneous detentions.
- Noem defended DHS in prepared remarks, emphasizing efforts to eradicate transnational organized crime, stop drug flows, end illegal immigration, and defend against cyberattacks; she warned of elevated risks to major 2026 events (the World Cup and the nation’s 250th birthday) and noted she continues to serve at President Trump’s pleasure amid replacement rumors. National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent told the committee the top threat is not knowing who entered the U.S. during the prior four years.
- A federal judge is investigating whether Noem should face contempt charges over flights that carried migrants to El Salvador.
📊 Relevant Data
Approximately 90,000 Afghan evacuees entered the United States from the beginning of the evacuation through March 2022 under Operation Allies Welcome.
Audit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Participation in the Department of Homeland Security’s Operation Allies Welcome — U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General
55 Afghan evacuees resettled under Operation Allies Welcome were identified as being on the U.S. terrorist watchlist between 2021 and 2023, with 15 of them not flagged during initial vetting due to incomplete or inaccurate biographic information.
Audit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Participation in the Department of Homeland Security’s Operation Allies Welcome — U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General
U.S. natives are 11.6 times more likely to be incarcerated than Afghan immigrants.
Afghan refugees are no threat to public safety — The Center for Growth and Opportunity
📰 Sources (5)
- During the hearing, Rep. Bennie Thompson referred to the WV National Guard shooting as an 'unfortunate accident,' prompting DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to call it a 'terrorist attack.'
- Noem asserted the Biden administration failed annual asylum check‑ins and said Lakanwal was admitted under 'Allies Welcome/Refuge.'
- Thompson suggested the Trump administration approved Lakanwal’s asylum (citing CBS reporting) and warned Noem about potential perjury if her statements were false.
- Noem countered that vetting processes were set under Biden-era programs and reiterated that proper SIV standards were not followed.
- Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson used his opening statement to call on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign, alleging she dismantled DHS and violated the law.
- Multiple protesters interrupted the hearing chanting anti-ICE messages; they were escorted out by Capitol Police and detained outside the room.
- Noem responded with prepared remarks defending DHS, saying the department is eradicating transnational organized crime, stopping drug flows, ending illegal immigration, and defending against cyberattacks.
- Noem warned of elevated risks to major 2026 U.S. events (World Cup and the nation’s 250th birthday) and said DHS is using every tool to secure them.
- Context noted that President Trump publicly dismissed rumors he would replace Noem, calling her 'fantastic'; Noem told Fox News she continues to serve at his pleasure.
- Two protesters interrupted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s opening remarks at the House Homeland Security Committee hearing, shouting anti-ICE messages; both were escorted out by security.
- One protester, dressed as a priest carrying a crucifix, shouted “End deportations!” and “The power of Christ compels you!” before removal.
- Noem’s opening statement emphasized border enforcement under the Trump administration and efforts to combat transnational crime and illegal immigration.
- National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent told the committee the top threat is not knowing who entered the U.S. during the prior four years.
- Article reiterates DHS tracking that over two million illegal immigrants have been deported under the current administration.
- The hearing begins at 10 a.m. EST on Dec. 11; Noem last appeared in Congress in May.
- Congress in July gave DHS roughly $165 billion, including funds to hire 10,000 more deportation officers, complete sections of the border wall, and expand detention and removals.
- A federal judge is investigating whether Noem should face a contempt charge over flights carrying migrants to El Salvador.
- PBS/AP highlights mounting clashes around DHS immigration operations in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.
- DHS says agents do not target U.S. citizens for immigration violations but acknowledges arrests of Americans for allegedly interfering in operations, while Democrats allege erroneous citizen detentions.